New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-26
CLOSING A LONG INQUIRY.
THE PAC FIG COMMISSION ADJoURNs.

EXAMINING L. u. NICHOLS N RrGARD TO THE CEN
TRIAL BphNCH OF THE KANSAS PACIFIC.
| The final session of the Pacihc Railway Commission
hold yesterday, Commissioner Anderson an
nonned AT 4 T. m, when the commission went into
eAccutvc session to hear the report Of its accountant
The day devoted to the testimony Of Enins ham H.
Nichols the promoter OF the central branch Of Union
Pacific Railroad The proceedings opened with
reading of the following telegram dated October 20
from Senator Leland Stanford:
In your examination Of myself Won asked me to sug-
gcs way settlement bet Sren the Central Pacific
iiroad Company and the Government. Now that the
leS.llu"ny has closed and. AZ | am advised. nothing
established by the testimony in California desire
10 suggest that the commission rep ri In favor Of the
existing between the Government and the Central
laclhc Rar"a Company, ~ inquired into ~ accord
aicc with the Act Of Congress approved March 3 l-S7,
and render final Judgment thereon; then the question
what further legislation may lie needed can be easily
considered consider that the Act OF Congress directing
inquiry INT" the equities crccts different standard 10y
winch 10 measure the relations between the railroad
company and the Government from the purely leg /, re
, ldtIons heretofore existing.
EXAMINING MR. NICHOLS.
Mr.. Nichols, disuihcd man, wearing gold bowel
spcctacles took the -tanl and went through what
said he desired to call full and concise statement OF the
history OF the central branch, hundred miles OF road
running westward from Atchison and known a, the
Atchi~on aud Pics Peak Railroad Mr.. Nichols became
connected with the Achison AMI Pixies Peak road IN
1853, he said. being associated with Lras'us Corning
Il. NJ. pomcroy and others. He counsel ds well -
treasurer He believed that under the act authorizing
the road right OF consolidation granted also The
extension OF the road CONNECT with tie Union Paclnc
ON the question Of the extension and the right ~ the
road 10 Government lands ana bonds argument
held before Solicitor General Phillips in les.
President Grant Mr. NIchrls -ad, approved tnc map
quirc Ice MED an a1cl his >isnnttre rhr witnr,,
then sail earnestly that Mr. Bouwc's advice Prcsi.
dent Grant in view OF public clnor against the Pacific
roads. recalled the map ana tore OF his signature.
President Grant aftcrwar assured Ac witness that he
need not 10 Disturbed about the matter Coumlssi'ue
Anderson suggested that the Presidents action might
have been Iuc to his being convinced that me Arch,on
ami Pixies Peak road had right to extend beyond the
loo miles from Aich,on.
Mr.. Nicho- -ou-h 10 show by the act that the Kansas
Pacific connect with the roal hut that ~ case %
failure do tn Atch,-on roll mi-lt be- ext 'ndci.
The Witness interest IN HE road SlOucOO The
company subsequently huit otter extensions under
other charters. aud these roads COMO dated into
tho Alchion. Colorado and Pacific road rho-c inter.
Ell IN the consolidation were Oliver Amcs Erastus
Corning K. VI. Pomcruy. Chauuccy Nihhdrd, George :.
Hale, A. = Barnes. Henry Day john A. stewart,
William G. Wctmolc AMI Others. Among counsel eni-
poycd At Washington and elsewhere We're benjamin r.
Cuti-, Mr. Hale. William " Evarts, william Whiting
Ccurrh Crlig. ami Thomas A. Hendricks and Rcycidy
Iohu-on after rhc expiration Of their terms OF odicc
SOME "F HE CoNr,NY's Expenses.
Amony the company. expense. 100000 IN
counsel fees. 100000 FOR commissions on loans,
>-jO.DoO Interest bonds 100000 u travelling aud
s'cnorraphcrN expenses $4,000 for -alare- 100000
60 the oil company, and other amounts which deducted
from rae available" a-~t q. l,2opoOp WoulI show lie
amount expended on construction
Mr.. ANDERSON n.Iac ,Aiiou~ attempts during the day
10 ont what tc cost Of construction vas, but ne
nearest MI Nichols could come 10 an estimate was 10
pat At about thee times what II would cost now or
about >jo0O) mite Mr. Nichols declared emphatica.Y